Scientists use sounding rockets to show that small oscillations in electric fields can be just as important for atmospheric Joule heating as the presence of the electric field itself.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Posted inResearch Spotlights
New Solar Wind Model Could Improve Space Weather Forecasts
Real-world data drive a simulation that successfully predicts Sun structures and interplanetary solar wind dynamics.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Magnetic Field Pulsations and Aurora Tightly Linked
Mysterious plasma waves from space are generating displays of aurora near Earth's poles.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Cassini Observes First Evidence of Saturn's Ionospheric Outflow
Evidence shows the ionosphere may contribute as much mass as the moon Enceladus.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Satellites Test Theory of Magnetic Reconnection
A quartet of satellites flying through Earth's magnetic field measures its interaction with the Sun's and puts a theory about their reconnection to the test.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
How Saturn Alters the Ionosphere of Titan
New research shows that Saturn's powerful magnetic field changes the atmospheric chemistry of its largest moon, Titan.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Scientists Detect Wisps of Wind in Space
In the near vacuum of low-Earth orbit, there are still faint tendrils of air—but measuring them is very tricky. A new study comparing two methods will make it a little easier.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Decoding the Radio Transmissions of Shooting Stars
Spectacular fireball meteors don't just light up the night sky—recent observations show they also emit mysterious high-frequency radio waves. Now scientists think they understand why.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Electric "Tornadoes" in Space Drive Disturbances Down to Earth
New simulations show how shocks in space can trigger vortexes in Earth's magnetic field, causing magnetic disturbances that are detectable from the ground.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Mercury's Magnetosphere Model Gets Retro Makeover
New observations from Mercury revive a once-abandoned model for its magnetic field, resulting in a new profile that better fits the data.